Dendrobium moniliforme 'Kosetsu'

Base Price: $35.00

Intro:
Dendrobium moniliforme is a miniature species native to Japan, China and Taiwan. It is closely related to nobile dendrobiums, often being used for breeding small nobile hybrids. Originally used as a medicinal herb in China, this orchid has become the 'bonsai orchid' of Japan. Compact, easy to grow and fragrant, monilifome are becoming a very popular windowsill grower. Be sure to check out our other Den. moniliforme varities including other colors and unique plant habits in our in spike now section or in the catolog index section.

Light:
As nature provides in Japan, moniliforme are used to having medium to high light in the spring through early fall seasons, with lower light levels in the winter through early spring. These plants will do well under artificial light culture but the daylight hours from mid November to mid January must be less than 12 hours.

Temperature:
Spring through summer temps can be 70 to 90 degrees. In order to ensure maximum flower potential the night time temperature in February should be between 53 to 58 degrees while having the plants in lower light and dry (not watering often) conditions. When the temperatures are kept warm throughout the year, this plant will tend to produce more leaves and flower occasionally in lower quantity than normal.

Humidity:
Humidity is not a very important factor for this plant, although it is best to have at least 50% when giving the plants a cool and dry rest.

Water:
This plant is not particular to any kind of water. They will do just fine with tap water (no softened water). Using reverse osmosis, distilled and rain water will help to prevent mineral deposits on the leaves and pots. Allow the potting material to become completely dry in the winter season if cold temperatures (40's or 50's) are kept consistent, only spritzing a little water on the plant and potting material every two or three days.

Fertilizer:
Important: This plant does not require much fertilizer to grow well. Fertilizer need only be applied in the summer through fall season, at 1/4 strength every third watering. In Japan, only two small pieces of time-release (ex. nutricoat) are set on each side of the pot.

Flowering:
This plant will tend to drop the leaves from mature canes in February when preparing to put out flower buds, often blooming with few or no leaves on the cane. The flowers generally emerge in late March to early April, and have a mesmerizing sweet fragrance. With flowers lasting only about 2 weeks, monilifome blossoms are sweet but short-lived, and well worth the wait.

Repotting:
Repot once a year in the spring, just before or as the buds appear. Sphagnum moss is a popular potting material for this plant. It can also be mounted on a slab, or grown in bark.